Southwest Pensacola - Pensacola, FL Area Guide

Outer Southwest Pensacola was occupied by early Native American peoples thousands of years before European settlers began to explore the land. In 1556, the first Spanish settlers arrived in Pensacola, 61 years before Christopher Columbus landed on Plymouth Rock. As one of the most historic cities in the Unites States, this region was claimed by five different countries throughout its 450 years of history. After the American Civil War, Outer Southwest Pensacola transformed into rural farm lands with a sprinkling of residential homes. During the late twentieth century, the city of Pensacola began to explode with beach-based tourism. As the city grew, residents began moving west to the scenic waterfront community of Outer Southwest Pensacola. As the home of the United States Naval Air Station, this area houses the National Naval Aviation Museum. Residents must travel to downtown Pensacola for theater and the fine arts.

While Outer Southwest Pensacola does not boast a wide variety of cuisines, you will not find better seafood elsewhere on the east coast. There is no central restaurant location, for more than one or two dining options residents take a short drive to the city of Pensacola. Cub’s Crawfish caters to locals with the best boiled crawfish in the south. When you enter this restaurant, the warm atmosphere allows diners to feel at home. This homey little creole restaurant is a go-to for locals during crawfish season running December through July. Cub’s serves the best fresh boiled crawfish on the east coast. If you stop by when crawfish is not in season, make it a point to try the gumbo. The locals promise it will be a choice you will not regret. Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille offers a beautiful waterfront setting overlooking the Palafox Pier Marina and the Bays. When sitting down to enjoy one of the one the signature flatbreads, take a moment to absorb the romantic atmosphere created by the sun setting over the water. Indulge yourself with a succulent salmon burger as your entrée. Just be sure to save room for dessert; residents will tell you the key lime pie is to die for. McGuire's Irish Pub and Brewery serves locals authentic Irish cuisine and brews. Frequent diners rave about the unique décor with one million signed dollar bills hanging from the ceiling and walls. Start your meal with a bowl of the homemade senate bean soup, the only thing better than the flavor is the low price of 18 cents. If you are stopping in for lunch, try the traditional Reuben served with potato chips and potato salad. McGuire’s shepherd’s pie makes the before dinner entrée with its ground steak, fresh vegetable, and smashed Irish potatoes and cheddar cheese. Outer Southwest Pensacola does not offer a boisterous nightlife scene. For this reason, residents take a 20-minute drive to the city of Pensacola for entertainment. Locals enjoy going to Gene’s Lounge for a night of cheap drinks and live bands. Gene’s also offers pool tables and arcade games for those who are not dancing. On Monday nights, ladies drink for $1.50. The younger crowd gathers at Play on South Palafox for a night of drinking and arcade games.

Approximately 90 percent of Outer Southwest Pensacola residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. Public transportation is not available in this neighborhood causing the rest of the population to rely on walking and taxi services. Those using a taxi service must call the company to schedule a pickup. If you prefer a more private form of transportation, Uber rides are available via a smartphone app. The app allows commuters to schedule a ride with a few taps of the touch screen. Interstate 292 runs straight through this neighborhood, allowing residents to connect other major highways and communities easily.

Residents of Outer Southwest Pensacola experience the beauty of nature at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. Visitors enjoy hiking and fishing when they are not picnicking near the water. Adventurous guests savor the scenery during their day long hike across the park to the Perdido River. Big Lagoon State Park sits between the Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico, creating a natural community for visitors to engage in a diverse selection of activities. Residents enjoy bird watching at the pine flatwoods in the spring and fall. In the summer time, locals and tourists enjoy the beach scene and bay areas for swimming and fishing. Fisherman frequent the park for crabbing. Outer Southwest Pensacola and the Pensacola area are well-known throughout the northern part of Florida for a variety of annual wine and arts festivals and seafood festivals.

Those looking to move to this neighborhood can expect to pay approximately $623 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. The lower cost of living allows residents to pay less for rent and other life essentials. Residents pay approximately one percent below the national average gas price. A cold brew at a the local bar will not cost you more than $3.00-$3.50.

When it comes to shopping, residents go to the city of Pensacola for a choice of shopping malls and high-end boutiques. Locals favor the Cordova Mall, considered “the largest and most upscale” shopping mall in the city. This shopping mall features major retailers and has over 120 specialty stores. Women of all ages shop at La Bona International Boutique for the latest fashions and accessories. This family-owned boutique takes great pride in providing women stylish clothing for a polished look. Rococo offers women the latest fashions around 25 percent below retail prices. Residents and tourists alike love the big city vibe delivered by this neat and tidy resale boutique. The clothing and accessories are hand-picked to emphasize the lively energy of Pensacola. For groceries, the residents shop at the local Publix for all of their basic needs. Those looking for specialty grocers must head to downtown Pensacola. Residents frequent Joe Patti’s Seafood Company for the largest array of fresh fish and seafood in the city. Outer Southwest Pensacola does not host any farmer's markets. However, the residents may head over to the city to shop at a number of farmers markets. The local favorites can be found at Palafox Market and Beulah Berries.